Barney hits it off with Fisher Price

HIT Entertainment's newest addition Barney, the purple dinosaur loved by American children, has signed a deal with Fisher Price granting the toy maker exclusive rights to manufacture, sell, market and distribute all Barney toys.

HIT acquired Barney at the beginning of the month when it bought US-based Lyrick, which in turn controls the Barney company Lyons Partnership for £190m. HIT chief executive Peter Orton said: 'We are delighted that a long term relationship has been established with Fisher-Price.'

The Lyrick deal opens up a vast American network through which HIT can push its UK characters Bob the Builder, Kipper the dog and Angelina Ballerina. Barney is still relatively unknown and unloved in Britain.